I've been looking for a killer Hollowbody bass to gig in a regularly working old school outfit I just joined. Like most of us, I learn, compare and research basses online quite a bit and I play as many different basses as I can get my hands on. But when it comes to Hollowbody basses, most shops have a limited selection and some shops don't carry any at all. Most of my friends and bass peers don't have one either. So I've been relying on input from national pros, local luthiers and online reviews/articles.

IMHO, Hollowbodys are a totally different animal from traditional, passive solid body basses. When I first played one, what I noticed immediately was the airy resonance and the lively low-mid "whump" a hollowbody bass provides. After sitting with one for awhile, I noticed that in the process of finding "my tone", my fingers and the instrument became one with each other. What I mean by that is, the input my fingers had on my tone / sound felt immediate, absolute and, after time and practice, sounded articulate.

I bought a 1973 Yamaha SA-75 after seeing/hearing Josh Homme play one in the movie Soundcity and it is a really cool instrument, but kinda one dimensional. Plus, a short scale bass is not my thing for a long gig. Soooooo, after a bit of research and playing quite a few of them, I took a flyer on this online gem - and I'm so glad I did.

Ladies and Gents - an immaculate 2007 Lakland Skyline Hollowbody with Barts and TI Flats.
The manifestation and perfection of old school articulation and "tone-ification".

It really has been a revelation for me. I'm in a couple of bands where there is a lot of frequency "room" and this particular hollowbody just fills that low-mid lane so richly and articulately. The throaty-ness of its voice is just so unique and cool.

Someday I'd like to compare this to a Lakland USA hollowbody. But this bass is absolutely magic. It didn't need a set-up, adjustment or a tweak. The previous owner treated it with much TLC.

The Lakland website says the Indonesian Skylines now have one piece maple necks and a maple top instead of mahogany. Not sure what the Korean Skyline specs were in 2007. This one's top end sounds/feels like it has a maple top, but what do I know?

That is a beautiful bass. Unique, but still classic looking. I dig it.

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You’re right on the money, ES.
I’ve seen some silver and gold Skyline HB’s, but I like the deep red vibe combined with the old school look. I think the new Skyline HB’s only come in a sunburst? The website says the USA’s have the color choice.

Very cool bass! Lakland knocked it out the park with that design. They hit the perfect 'sweet spot' between retro and modern. The design is modern where you need, but retro where you want it. No weird weak/woofy/muddy pickups or fiddly rosewood saddles. A proper bridge, proper tuners and proper electronics. But it doesn't look like a modern bass with an F-hole grafted in.

Very cool bass! Lakland knocked it out the park with that design. They hit the perfect 'sweet spot' between retro and modern. The design is modern where you need, but retro where you want it. No weird weak/woofy/muddy pickups or fiddly rosewood saddles. A proper bridge, proper tuners and proper electronics. But it doesn't look like a modern bass with an F-hole grafted in.

I keep a wee eye out for these coming up used.

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You nailed it Axstar. It’s a hollowbody that sounds and feels solid, but still has that old school airiness and delicacy. And you can gig it without feeling like it’s going to fall apart, so to speak.